Nelson, Taurasi named 2004 Naismith Players of the Year

Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) – Saint Joseph’s point guard Jameer Nelson and
Connecticut’s Diana Taurasi were named the 2004 Naismith college basketball
players of the year.

Nelson, also the Atlantic 10 player of the year, has led St. Joe’s to a 29-1
record and a berth in the Sweet 16 where the Hawks will take on Wake Forest on
Thursday.

He tops the school’s all-time scoring and assists lists, and is averaging 20.2
points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists this season.

Taurasi brings home the Naismith award for the second straight year. She has
led UConn to back-to-back national championships with the Huskies (26-4) set
to do battle with Auburn (22-8) Tuesday in the second round of the NCAA
Tournament.

The two-time Big East Player of the Year is averaging 15.6 points per game.

The Naismith Awards are given in honor of the inventor of the game of
basketball, Dr. James Naismith. The awards program was founded by the Atlanta
Tipoff Club, an organization dedicated to recognizing the achievements of
student-athletes in basketball. The Awards, including Men’s and Women’s
College Player of the Year, Men’s and Women’s Coach of the Year, Male and
Female Prep Player of the Year and Men’s and Women’s Official of the Year, are
determined by a vote of the Naismith Board of Selectors.